Effect of music therapy on glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde and pain in patients undergoing oocyte retrieval: A randomized controlled trial

•Music therapy had a positive effect on postoperative pain for patients undergoing oocyte retrieval.•Music therapy showed an antioxidant effect by preventing the increase of malondialdehyde.•Music therapy reduced anxiety for patients undergoing oocyte retrieval who were stressed. The aim was to investigate the effects of music therapy on glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA), and pain in patients undergoing oocyte retrieval. This is a randomized, controlled and parallel study. Sixty patients were included. Patients were divided into two groups: music (n = 30) and control (n = 30). While the music group listened to Turkish classical music one hour before and during the operation, the control group did not listen to music. Preoperative and postoperative GPX, MDA, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 1-2 values were compared in both groups. GPX, MDA levels, and pain scores were our primary outcomes. STAI 1-2 values and hemodynamic parameters were our secondary outputs. The post operative GPX level showed a significant difference between groups in favor of the music therapy group (effect size (ES) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 1.62). In addition, MDA also showed significant improvements in favor of music group (ES -1.69, 95% CI -2.26 to -1.08). The postoperative 5th minute Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score was lower in the music group (p = 0.006). The music group used significantly fewer postoperative analgesics (p = 0.004). No music therapy-related adverse events were observed. Music therapy positively affects GPX, MDA, pain, anxiety scores and the number of patients who need analgesia in patients requiring oocyte retrieval.